Dramatic Irony in Othello

Dramatic irony plays a large role in Othello; it is most prominent in Iago’s lines - Dramatic Irony in Othello introduction. It is specifically seen when Iago outright lies to characters, when he misrepresents his personality to other people, and when other characters talk about Iago in a way he is not. Iago constantly tells other characters slight untruths or outright lies. His constant use of lying puts the audience on edge because they always know when he has lied. One of his major lies is when he tells Othello that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair.

His proof of this is a handkerchief of Desdemona’s he “found in another man’s room”. He tells Othello “I know not that; but such a handkerchief– / I am sure it was your wife’s–did I to-day / See Cassio wipe his beard with” (Act 3 Scene 3 Ln 438-440). Because the audience knows that Iago planted the handkerchief they are anxious to see how Othello will react to this lie. In a similar vein, Iago tells Othello about Desdemona’s “affair” and then states that “[He] hope[s] [Othello] will consider what is spoke / Comes from [his] love” (Act 3 Scene 3 Ln 217-218).

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The audience know that this is completely ridiculous, because Desdemona is not having an affair and because Iago hates Othello. Both of these are examples of Iago telling outright lies and the audience waiting in suspense to see if Othello will fall for them. Dramatic irony can also be seen when Iago misrepresents his personality to other characters. For instance Iago tells Othello, “My lord, you know I love you” (Act 3 Scene 3 Ln 118). However the audience knows that this is completely untrue; Iago hates Othello with his “free and open nature” (Act 1, Scene 3, ln 12).

They are then left in complete suspense as to what Othello’s reaction to this lie will be and how it will affect the rest of the play. Another example of this would be when Iago says, “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on; that cuckold lives in bliss / Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger; / But, O, what damned minutes tells he o’er” (Act 3 Scene 3 Ln 167). In this quote Iago gives advice he does not believe in, and the audience knows he does not believe it; thus it is a perfect example of dramatic irony.

These two examples show how Iago has no remorse in lying to other characters. The audience is, then, left in suspense as to how much of these lies other characters will accept as the truth. The third type of dramatic irony involving Iago is when other characters talk about him in a way he is not. For example, Desdemona is one of many characters to refer to Iago as “an honest fellow” and she goes on to tell Cassio to “Do not doubt [him]” (Act 3 Scene 3 Ln 5). As the audience is well aware, Iago is anything but honest.

Earlier in the play Emilia tells Desdemona that she “warrant it grieves my husband, / As if the case were his. ” (Act 3 Scene 3 Ln 4) when talking about Cassio’s being fired. As with the last line referring to Iago, the audience knows that the other characters’ perception of Iago is completely untrue. Most of the the dramatic irony in Othello is from characters misjudging Iago and his intentions. This causes suspense for the audience because they know Iago wants the downfall of all others.